HUDDERSFIELD TOWN defender Michael Hefele could be heading out of the John Smith’s Stadium if the rumoured interest from Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion develop.

The German-born defender was instrumental in Town’s 2016-17 promotion campaign but found playing time limited once in the English game’s top flight, making only two appearances from the bench in the Premier League.

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He made four stsarts, twice each in the EFL and FA Cup, but could be tempted by a return to Championship level if it brings regular first-team football, particularly if it is with a geunine contender for promotion as the freshly-relegated Baggies would be.

Hull City have agreed a deal with Chelsea to bring in defender Todd Kane on a seasonn-long loan and are thought to be close to taking goalkeeper George Long off Sheffield United’s hands, with the 24-year-old understood to have undergone a medical on Monday.

Long was a regular during the 2015-16 League One season for the Blades, but fell out of favour the following season under Chris Wilder when promotion was finally sealed back to the Championship.

With Simon Moore and loan signing Jamal Blackman Long sharing the bulk of goalkeeping duties in the Championship, Long spent last season on loan at League One AFC Wimbledon, where he made 49 appearances. The Blades put him on the transfer list at the end of the 2017-18 campaign and have since brought in Dean Henderson on loan from Manchester United to battle with Moore for the starting slot next season.

HEADING OUT: Sheffield United goalkeeper George Long could be heading to Championship rivals Hull City. Picture: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Sayingnthat, Moore is thought to be the target of interest from West Brom, according to reports in the West Midlands.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Steven Fletcher could still move to Panathinaikos, although it will depend on whether he is willing to take a wage cut.

Owls boss Jos Luhukay had previously said he needs to make further cuts to his squad before the start of the Championship season.

Leeds United midfielder Ronaldo Vieira has been linked with a switch away from Elland Road.

Ronaldo Vieira. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Former Leeds boss Neil Warnock is reportedly keen on taking the youngster to Cardiff City, with one national newspaper reporting that the newly-promoted Bluebirds are eyeing-up an £8m deal.

Leeds, meanwhile, are thought to have ended their interest in striker Baghdad Bounedjah. The Algerian striker, who currently plies his trade for Al Saad, had been heavily linked with a move to Yorkshire over the summer following a staggering goalscoring record which has seen him net 64 goals in just 57 appearances for his current side.

But reports from Bounedjah’s homeland, appearing in newspaper L’Expression, suggest that Leeds will not be pursuing a deal for the international.

His wage demands, coupled with the large transfer fee, have reportedly deterred Marco Bielsa - who will now turn his attentions elsewhere – one of those possible targets being Peterborough striker Jack Marriott.

Middlesbrough will have to battle it out with Newcastle United and Cardiff for West Brom winger Matt Phillips, according to reports. The Scottish international looks set to leave the Hawthorns this summer, with an £11m price tag reportedly slapped on his head.

Bradford City frontman Charlie Wyke is still a target for League One rivals Sunderland, with Championship side Bolton also interested.

Reports suggest that the Black Cats have returned with a second bid for the ex-Middlesbrough man - believed to be in the region of £600,000 - but Wyke is still expected to play in the Bantams’ pre-season friendly with Sheffield United this evening.

The Bantams yesterday boosted their ranks for 2018-19 when they brought in Huddersfield Town midfielder Jack Payne and Middlesbrough striker George Miller – both on a season-long loan.